Comma or not?
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- Lisa A Rayburn
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Comma or not?
In this sentence, should there be a comma or maybe even a colon before "rumors"? None of the grammar checkers are picking it up and I use 5 different ones. It just doesn't look or sound right to me without anything, though. Does anyone know a rule for this?
- Manang Muyang
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I agree that there should be something there. I would use a dash, but either a colon or a comma seems fine as well. I wouldn't know any rule to cover this example, though. You can also replace "that" with "rumors" to be on the safe side, but the sentence wouldn't be the same, I know.Kelyn wrote: ↑04 Feb 2020, 22:01 The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that rumors.
In this sentence, should there be a comma or maybe even a colon before "rumors"? None of the grammar checkers are picking it up and I use 5 different ones. It just doesn't look or sound right to me without anything, though. Does anyone know a rule for this?
- inaramid
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I'd go with a colon or a dash. The guideline below might help:
I'd write your sentence as:The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence. An em dash can be used for the same purpose.
EXAMPLE: After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty.
From https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/colon.html
© 2020 thepunctuationguide.com
1) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that: rumors.
2) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that — rumors.
- Manang Muyang
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Thanks, kabayan. I'll take note of that site.inaramid wrote: ↑05 Feb 2020, 06:36 I agree with Miriam.
I'd go with a colon or a dash. The guideline below might help:
I'd write your sentence as:The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence. An em dash can be used for the same purpose.
EXAMPLE: After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty.
From https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/colon.html
© 2020 thepunctuationguide.com
1) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that: rumors.
2) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that — rumors.
- Lisa A Rayburn
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I agree with you. I'd use a dash.Miriam Molina wrote: ↑05 Feb 2020, 01:05I agree that there should be something there. I would use a dash, but either a colon or a comma seems fine as well. I wouldn't know any rule to cover this example, though. You can also replace "that" with "rumors" to be on the safe side, but the sentence wouldn't be the same, I know.Kelyn wrote: ↑04 Feb 2020, 22:01 The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that rumors.
In this sentence, should there be a comma or maybe even a colon before "rumors"? None of the grammar checkers are picking it up and I use 5 different ones. It just doesn't look or sound right to me without anything, though. Does anyone know a rule for this?
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" The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that: rumors. "
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